Solar Storm: Internet, GPS Problems May Flare Up

Patch Staff

A solar flare could foul up communications systems and knock out power grids through the weekend.

If your Internet and GPS systems are wonky, it could be the fault of a major solar flare unleashed by the Sun on Wednesday.

Besides potentially snarling communications systems and knocking out power on Earth, the flare could also wreak havoc with orbiting satellites according to NOAA’S Space Weather Prediction Center.

The flare was an X-class solar flare, the most powerful type, but poses no danger to anyone on Earth or to the astronauts living aboard the International Space Station, NASA told Space.com.

Major disruptions are not expected from the flare, which followed a weaker flare late Monday, reports WUSA. But problems with the accuracy of GPS have been noted with this level of solar storm.

Some high-frequency radio communications on Earth have already been affected, but further analysis is necessary to determine if consumer electronics and power grids will be affected.

But there’s a silver lining in this potential storm, especially if you’re in the northern United States or Canada. Geomagnetic storms can intensify the northern lights.

»Photo: NOAA National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center